Art in Hamble Valley

The Hamble Valley is a fascinating and inspirational area for a range of artists who showcase their work in galleries and public spaces.

There are a number of small art galleries which are well worth a visit. The Maritime Gallery in Hamble has a selection of drawings and paintings along with limited editions, model boats, gifts and cards. The Blue Goose Gallery in West End offer a range of limited edition prints whilst Browns Fine Art Gallery in Locks Heath Centre displays a range of work by local artists.

“I have lived in the Hamble Valley for most of my life and continue to enjoy capturing its variety in watercolour year on year. I teach others and, where possible, we work on location to make the most of the seasonal weather and daylight effects. We have been painting at Swanwick Shore, Holly Hill Woodland Park, Royal Victoria Country Park, Bursledon Brickworks and at various locations along Southampton Water”

Kirstin White

Local Hamble Valley Artist

Art in the Garden

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Romsey have an annual Art in the Garden exhibition running from May to October. In its eleventh year, over 70 new and established artists, graduates and local Hampshire artists showcase over 150 pieces of purchasable sculpture. All the sculpture is displayed in a beautiful outdoor setting within the 80-acre gardens.

Public Art

There are a variety of sculptures and pieces of public art to be found and enjoyed throughout the Hamble Valley – adding more than flora and fauna to public spaces. The attractive, quirky and often thought-provoking pieces provide a sense of place and often a link to local heritage – from aviation to sport, local characters and nature.

Why not set off on trail to see how many you can find?

Totem Pole at Hamble Copse

Russell Franklin

Part of the Itchen Hamble Countryside Project, the pole is built from a tree which stood in its place and is a representation of a traditional totem and was carved using a chain saw.

Vertical Burst, Avro Roll and Railings in Hamble

Ray Smith

At the Hamble airfields the sculpture represents a who’s who of the pioneer aviators and celebrate the aviation history of the Hamble Valley.

Windhover, Tesco Roundabout Bursledon

Paul Sivell

Carved from a pine tree, the top of the totem pole features a kestrel, which is referred to locally as a Wind Hover, the name given to the area.

D-Day Sculpture, Royal Victoria Country Park

Alec Peever

Inspired through Thomson’s words as a commemoration of D-Day on the 50th Anniversary, the theme was to explore the mixed feelings involved.

Musical Chairs, Dancing Garden at The Point

John Thompson

The musical chairs draw on the nature of the dancing garden and performances. A pattern is created using the musical scores from a Bob Dylan song

Spitfire, Southampton Airport Roundabout, Eastleigh

Alan Manning

A three-quarter scale sculpture modelled from the original 1930s engineering and designs of the famous Spitfire prototype K5054, honouring its designer, RJ Mitchell.

The Railway Man in Eastleigh

Jill Tweed

A bronze statue depicting a railway man from the 1930s representing the railway heritage of Eastleigh Town.